Russian Military in Syria

In September 2015 Russian military forces intervened in Syria initially as part of a limited campaign against so-called Islamic State terrorists. This campaign turned into more substantive military support to Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in his deadly fight with opposition groups, killing thousands of civilians in rebel-held areas. Operations came to an end with Assad’s fall in December 2024.

Airwars documented thousands of allegations of civilian harm from Russian strikes in Syria and produced research and reports on the conflict.

Airwars estimate of civilian deaths

4,431 – 6,522

Locally reported civilian deaths from declared or likely Russian Military actions in Syria for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by the Russian Military. These originate from 4,977 separate alleged incidents.

1,174 – 1,440
children likely killed
647 – 782
women likely killed
6,672
likely injured
3,500
named victims

Russian Military estimate of civilian deaths

0

Confirmed civilian deaths, from Russian Military actions in Syria, originating from 0 separate incidents of civilian harm.

civilians confirmed injured
Alleged deaths
15,841 – 25,260
Locally reported civilian deaths from Russian Military actions in Syria.
4,977 seperate alleged incidents
Confirmed or Fair
4,431 – 6,522
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Fair, or have been Confirmed by Russian Military
1,380 seperate alleged incidents
Weak
739 – 861
Civilian deaths for which the reporting was assessed by Airwars as Weak.
466 seperate alleged incidents
Contested
10,557 – 17,748
Civilian deaths for which the reporting is assessed by Airwars as Contested.
3,115 seperate alleged incidents
Discounted
114 – 129
Civilian deaths were Discounted by Airwars after assessment.
16 seperate alleged incidents
4942 incidents
Order results by:
Incident DatePublication Date

Incident Date

17 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0052

Location

عرفة, Arafeih, Idlib, Syria
A young boy named as Mohammad Hussain Al Jassem later died of his injuries, six days after an October 17th airstrike on the town of Arafeih. According to reports the child was injured by shrapnel in the original attack. And on October 31st, a civilian male named as Hasan Ahmad Al Nazouha also died as…

Summary

Published
17 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0051

Location

تيرمعلة, Teir Ma'ala, Homs, Syria
For the second day in a row Russian aircraft reportedly targeted Teir Ma’ala, this time killing nine or more civilians according to reports. “Russian warplanes launched two raids on the town of Teir Ma’alah missiles, one of which targeted the area around the town mosque, which killed nine and about four wounded, mostly women and…

Summary

Published
16 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
9–12
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0049

Location

كفر كرمين, Kafr Karmin, Aleppo, Syria
Between ten and 13 civilians including five children died in a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Kafr Karmin. The Syrian Network later named some eight of the including one man, two women and five children. One eyewitness said the attack came “Exactly after Friday prayer [when] Russian planes targeted the village of Kafr Karmeen…

Summary

Published
16 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
10–13
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

16 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0050

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria
The White Helmets reported that three children were killed in the countryside near Damascus following a ‘Russian airstrike.’ Al Etihad said the aircraft was a Russian Air Force Su-24. VDC named the children without specifying which nation’s aircraft were responsible. . However Shaam News described the attack as having been the work of the Syrian…

Summary

Published
16 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
3
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0042

Location

تيرمعلة, Teir Ma'ala, Homs, Syria
As many as 57 civilians were killed in a sequence of Russian airstrikes across Homs governorate. According to reports the attacks were in support of a Syrian regime ground offensive, backed by Iranian troops. In Teir Ma’ala, up to 23 non-combatants were said to have died alongside militants in a 6am attack. The Syrian Observatory…

Summary

Published
15 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
15–23
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident

Incident Date

15 October 2015

Incident Code

RS0043

Location

الغنطو, Al Ghantu, Homs, Syria
An air raid shelter in the village of Al Ghantu was reportedly hit in a Russian airstrike, killing up to 48 people from one extended family. Among the dead were at least 23 children and nine women. A local cameraman captured the moment the missile from an apparent Russian Air Force Su-24 hit (see below)…

Summary

Published
15 October 2015
Civilians reported killed
45–48
Civilians reported injured
2
Military Actor
Russian Military
View Incident